Mononucleosis is a viral infection ; it is usually transmitted through saliva , and is also called kissing disease. It can be transmitted through the common use of objects such as glasses or cutlery.

The name mononucleosis is to be attributed to the reactive mechanics to the contracted virus: in fact, the mononuclear cells of white blood cells , monocytes , are produced, which are generally numerically reduced in the blood.

• Causes of mononucleosis
• Symptoms of mononucleosis
• Remedies for mononucleosis

Causes of Mononucleosis

The virus that causes mononucleosis is Epstein-Barr (EBV) , belonging to the Herpes family , like chicken pox and shingles . Once contracted, the virus remains latent in the body and can cyclically recur, especially when the immune system is weakened.

Mononucleosis mainly affects children and adolescents;  sometimes even adults, albeit in smaller numbers.

It can be contracted directly through:

> saliva;

> urine;

> unprotected sexual relations;

> blood transfusions.

But also indirectly through shared objects brought into contact with the mucous membranes, such as cutlery, glasses or bottles.

Symptoms of mononucleosis

Mononucleosis has symptoms common to other flu conditions:

> fever ;

> sore throat ;

> tiredness ;

> swollen lymph nodes;

> loss of appetite ;

> muscle aches .

Sometimes, however, on already weakened organisms, with an immune system under pressure, mononucleosis can present complications with more serious symptoms:

> larger plaques in the throat which can make swallowing difficult;

> very high fever with nocturnal sweating;

> enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly);

> measles-like rash;

> hepatitis;

> myocarditis;

> encephalitis.

Some researches are verifying possible involvement of mononucleosis with chronic fatigue syndrome and with some neoplastic forms .  

Mononucleosis can have a course of between 3 and 6 weeks and leave some traces of fatigue . 

Remedies for mononucleosis

It is important to diagnose mononucleosis in time through haematological and immunological tests such as the blood count.

There are no specific drugs to eradicate this virus. The important thing is not to take antibiotics , which do not act on viruses and further impoverish the intestinal flora by weakening the immune system . Acetylsalicylic acid should also be avoided because it can cause complications. 

It is possible to integrate natural remedies to boost the immune system and thus speed up a remission from symptoms:

> echinacea :  immunostimulating, it is suitable for flu conditions due to its antiviral properties;

> astragalus : immunostimulating, acts on flu syndromes and infectious diseases and has antiviral and antioxidant properties. It supports the increase of T lymphocytes;

> eleutherococcus : adaptogenic remedy, increases the body’s resistance to stressful stimuli, prevents relapses from herpes and promotes anti-fatigue action.

On the market there are some  phytocomplexes in dry extract that can be taken both as a preventive measure to strengthen the immune defenses, and in case of overt mononucleosis to support the body in fighting the virus.